BIOGRAPHY

DAVE, THE BRIDGE MAN - PHOTOGRAPHER

• I have been photographing New York's bridges since 1993.

• As of this date I have climbed sixteen of New York's Great Bridges.

• Working with the following agencies: Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, Triborough Bridge and Tunnel Authority, New York City Dept. of Transportation, Amtrak Inc. New York City Dept. of Housing, United States Coast Guard, National Park Service, New York City Economic Development Corporation, and New York State Phychiatric Institute.

• I have been in the following publications: The New York Times, (twice) the New Jersey Bergen Record, (numerous times) New Jersey Star Ledger, the Dallas Morning News, Engineering News Record Magazine, B&W Magazine, Time-Out NY Magazine, U.S. News And World Report, Roads And Bridges Magazine, Bridge Design And Engineering Magazine, Shutterbug Magazine, Leica-View Magazine, Jobo Fototechnic Quarterly Magazine, Hasselblad “Forum” Magazine, and published in Photo-Techniques Magazine. One of my photographs was on the front cover of “150 years of American Society of Civil Engineers” (A.S.C.E.).

I have appeared on Jersey's Talking with Lee Leonard, two times, have been on “The Learning Channel” two times, have been on New York's M.S.G. Metro-Guide “New York Now.” Have been on New Jersey's cablevision program "No Limits” have been on WNBC’s “Today in New York”. Interviewed by NY 1 and Channel 5. Was interviewed by Morry Alter of WCBS TV on top of the Brooklyn Bridge for CBS Evening News. I was interviewd by Kate Sullivan for the CBS Morning News.

I was interviewed by John Montone for WINS News. I was interviewed by WCBS Radio AM and Station WFUV FM (Fordham University). I was interviewed by Brent Sterling (The Souls of New York) PBS, Modern Marvels (History Channel) And The NHK Japanese TV Network for a program titled, “City Walk.”

• Seven of my photographs were in the exhibit “Six Bridges.” The exhibit featured 73 photographs of the six bridges built by the world renowned Swiss engineer Othmar Ammann. The exhibit began at the Painewebber Art Gallery in New York in 1996, has traveled across the country and concluded in April 2000. The exhibition was supported by S.I.T.E.S. [Smithsonian Institution Traveling Exhibition Service].

My work has been published in two recent books "The Creation of Bridges" and "Six Bridges, The Legacy of Othmar Ammann”.

• I have studied under John Sexton, personal assistant to Ansel Adams and Jeff Nixon, workshop assistant to Ansel Adams and Morley Baer, a well known photographer who has extensively photographed the Big Sur coast of California. I am a member of (A.S.M.P.) American Society of Media Photographers.

My work has been in numerous other exhibits throughout the New York - New Jersey area.

"On Top of The World"

Dave Frieder atop the Manhattan Bridge

Dave Frieder on the main cable of
Throgs Neck Bridge.

People that have influenced my career as a photographer

Ansel Adams- Ansel Adams, his work and his teaching have had a tremendous impact on my career as a "Fine Art" architectural and landscape photographer. His incredible vision, his insight, his amazing darkroom skills have all contributed to his beautiful photographs. When I saw his "Moonrise" photograph and realized it was made through his "inner vision" I knew then, photography is what I wanted to do more than anything else!

Jeff Nixon- I met Jeff after talking to the Ansel Adams Gallery in California to learn more about the great photographer. Jeff was Ansel's workshop assistant for many years. After talking to him for some time I met him him and took a couple of workshops with him. Jeff has taught me to listen and understand the subjects that I photograph.

John Sexton- I was introduced to John by Jeff Nixon. I had known of John's work for years but I always wanted to meet him. I had the great pleasure of meeting John on a one to one basis. He was printing photographs for potential customers and I was amazed at his technical and printing skills. He truly is a "Master Printer" I had taken several workshops with him and in the beginning I did not get very favorable comments from him on my work. I was not going to give up! This made me work ten times harder and I have to thank John for those comments that day!

Morley Baer- I met Morley during a John Sexton Photographic Workshop. Morley is a great influence on my photographic career. I was very much intrigued by his work and his visual sense. Morley made a statement in a letter to me that basically lead me to photographing the great bridges of New York City. He told me that my photographs reflect much work and understanding. He told me, "Dave put your excitement to work on a subject that you care most dearly about." I will always remember Morley for his words of wisdom!

Othmar Ammann- I never had the opportunity to meet the greatest bridge builder of all time, but I do have the distinct pleasure of photographing all the great bridges he designed. My favorite bridge of all, one that he designed and built is the George Washington Bridge. It was this bridge I crossed more than any other bridge and I am always in awe looking at its incredible steelwork. It is truly an engineering masterpiece. Othmar Ammann was an artist in his own right. What Ansel Adams did with photography, Othmar Ammann did with Civil Engineering.